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On the first Wednesday of the month for a half-hour at noon I am slated to appear on Bill Buckmaster’s long-running news talk radio show. You can catch me next week, July 3, on KVOI AM 1030. As usual, we’ll talk about the latest issues affecting Ward 3 and the City of Tucson. Bill and I have talked often on the air since before I was elected, but only recently have I graduated to a regular monthly spot.
 Veteran journalist Bill Buckmaster and Vice Mayor Kevin Dahl.
I love being interviewed by Bill, a veteran journalist who has a solid old school sense of what is fair and balanced and is just fun as an interviewer. He hosted the local PBS show “Arizona Illustrated” for 22 years, then in 2010 started his own company and radio show. Celebrated as the “Voice of Tucson,” Bill’s radio hour has hosted a wide range of newsmakers, artists, journalists, and experts of all sorts – by his count more than 5,000 interviews over the years.
Bill Buckmaster shows are recorded and archived online at www.buckmastershow.com, so you can listen to me or any of his many fascinating guests at your convenience. I dare you to scroll through the list without finding someone you would enjoy hearing interviewed!
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CATALYST Creative Collective Was Created by the Southern Arizona Arts and Culture Alliance (SAACA)in 2019 located at 4500 N Oracle Rd Suite 110 Tucson, AZ 85705, in the Tucson Mall, the space is a massive 14,000 square feet - with different areas focusing on different creative needs. In addition to the central, open space they have a smaller community room, a culinary teaching kitchen, music and digital arts lab, and a collaboration room - think big tables!
 Catalyst Creative Collective is a non-profit community space located within the Tucson Mall.
It is a beautiful space for sure and CATALYST is full of color; everywhere you look is a treat for the eye!
 A view of the open space with tables and classrooms in the back.
The Summer 2024 schedule of events and classes has been posted. There is a great mix of yoga and cooking classes, open mic nights, an artisan's market night, a couple of mixers and creative kids classes hosted by their artist in residence. Non-profits like Esperanza Dance Project, Tucson Youth Music and the Southern Arizona Symphony Orchestra host their classes and rehearsals here, and local businesses Art Mixer and Humble Board both call CATALYST their home.
 Flying Javelinas by Igancio Garcia brighten up an administrative corner.
The back section of CATALYST houses their administrative space and offices but also includes rentable co-working spaces. Smartly designed with a small footprint, a bit of privacy, and plenty of opportunity for water-cooler chat. Of course, every space is an opportunity for visual art, including the bathrooms! My favorite is the picnic scene complete with ant hill!
 A Picnic Scene by Tyler Harlow in one of the bathrooms at CATALYST.
CATALYST is a dream space for creatives and artists and those of us that appreciate art and art making. A big thank you to Kevin Larkin, CATALYST Creative Collective Manager for the tour!
 Kevin Larkin showing us the way to the bathrooms!
This news piece from KGUN 9 provides some information about State funding to SAACA and how it affects programs like Catalyst. If you would like to donate to SAACA and help fund the arts in Southern Arizona you can do so by clicking on the button below.
The Ward 3 office has received quite a few questions, comments, and concerns regarding the changes to the Hard to Recycle Plastics Program (HTRP) that begin on July 1st. The most common concern we heard is with the new requirement for all HTRP to be in the new orange Hefty bags in order to be recycled. While the concerns are understandable, we want to provide additional context so residents understand the current situation with regard to the City’s plastic recycling options.
Council Member Karin Uhlich pointed out in a recent Ward 6 newsletter, the tools of “Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle” are meant to be used hand in hand. As with any recycling program, there is the danger of relying too heavily on recycling and not the other two much more important tools in waste mitigation: REDUCE and REUSE (REPAIR is also a great option when possible). So it is worth reminding ourselves that recycling is not enough, and we should also make sure we are taking other measures to eliminate waste.
 One of the piles of baled plastics currently being stored at Los Reales Sustainability Campus that ByFusion can't use.
Since its inception as a pilot program through the Ward 6 office and its expansion city-wide, the HTRP program has been extremely popular. In one sense, it has been too popular. We are still in the process of building the ByFusion facility here in Tucson. Until that facility is finished, we find ourselves in a situation of having enormous amounts of plastic being dropped off, but not actually having the ability to process it locally yet. Some of the plastics can be sent to ByFusion’s facility in California. However, Tucson residents (as well as many residents from outside city limits) have been dropping off far more plastic than ByFusion is capable of using. Keep in mind, for the facility in California, we are among many municipalities giving them plastics.
Given the limit of how much plastic they can take off our hands, a mountain of surplus hard to recycle plastics has been accumulating with no clear destination. The city doesn’t want to put it in the landfill, and we’re not ready to process it locally yet. And according to Environmental Services, the City is paying significant costs to bale and store the plastics that ByFusion cannot use.
 This is where Hefty entered the picture. They work with other end-markets that will take the plastic, and guarantee that it is recycled, not put in a landfill. The catch is that for Hefty to do this, they want it all in their orange bags, which reduces the amount of contamination of other materials among the plastics. Understandably, many residents have objected to the idea of buying more plastic bags in order to recycle their plastic. Moreover, the particular price point of these bags has been a major complaint. For a comparison, Hefty makes a regular 13 gallon bag that sells at Fry's for about $10 for 45, whereas these orange bags cost about $9 for 20, so almost exactly twice as much as their non-orange counterpart.
 A Hefty orange bag filled with hard to recycle plastics.
To be clear, Hefty is owned by Reynolds Corporation, which is owned by Dow Chemical Company, a multi-national corporation. As such, nobody should be surprised that their willingness to “be green” on recycling plastic comes with the condition that they still profit from it. For what it's worth, the city is not paying Hefty anything to take it's plastic. Hefty will make some money through the value of the plastic in various end markets, and the extra cost of the orange Hefty bags that it sells to consumers will offset Hefty's costs for processing and shipping the plastic, thereby saving the City from having to pay for that processing.
The question becomes, how can the City of Tucson, who is charged with providing services at cost, and not turning a profit, operate this program without adding to the amount of plastic we consume. The answer is that we build facilities locally to meet our demand for plastic recycling, rather than partner with a company like Hefty who will ship it elsewhere for profit. And that is exactly what the City will be able to do once our ByFusion facility is completed. But in the meantime, with no other entity willing to take our massive amounts of hard to recycle plastic, and with residents being rightly opposed to adding to the landfill, Hefty is the solution we are left with. Wards 1, 3 and 6 have bags free of charge to help people get started.
 A box of Hefty ReNew bags for the hard to recycle plastics.
If that solution feels less than adequate, that is understandable. And in that case, I would reiterate that mitigating our use of plastics should be the first thing we do, and try not to get too comfortable with programs that recycle plastics as a total solution. Lastly, it's worth noting that currently there are easy to recycle plastics like water bottles and the plastic cups from coffee shops (all plastics marked with a number 1, 2, or 5) that SHOULD go in the blue bin. Making sure to put those easy to recycle plastics in the blue bin with other recyclables will help each household use less orange bags, and keep these more valuable items from filling up the HTRP program.
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 BOI / ID# A839726
Age: 13 years
Qualities:
Boi was surrendered to PACC along with a small dog friend when his owner lost their home. The littler pup quickly found a home, but Boi is still waiting! This loving, easygoing senior is housebroken, affectionate, calm and cuddly. One of the cutest things about Boi: He loves toys and especially loves carrying them around with him on walks! This lovable senior deserves to find a home more comfortable than the shelter where he can get plenty of lovin' in his senior years.
Fee:
Boi has a $0 adoption fee. A $20 license fee applies to adult dogs. Adoption includes spay or neuter, age-appropriate vaccinations, microchip, and a free vet visit.
Contact:
Pima Animal Care Center, 4000 N. Silverbell Rd.
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday, 12pm - 7pm.
Wednesday 1:30-7pm. Saturday and Sunday 10am - 5pm.
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The Ward 3 office is open at 1510 E. Grant Rd. from
9 am -1 pm, Monday through Friday. Staff will answer phone messages, emails and requests for meetings by the next business day. Leave your message at 520-791-4711 or email ward3@tucsonaz.gov.
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Palo Verde Neighborhood Association 4th of July Parade Pre-Party Saturday, June 29, 8 - 10 AM
Palo Verde Neighborhood Association 4th of July Parade Thursday, July 4, 7 - 10 AM
EASY Food Equity-Accessibility Request to Tucson Community
 EASY Food Equity-Accessibility Request to Tucson Community Members: Tucson Food Share is asking for help to collect and upcycle plastic t-shirt-style bags (aka grocery bags) for our customers during our shopping hours at our Food Share. Because we are distributing food three times weekly, we have had trouble justifying the cost and sustainability risks of buying these bags new. Any consideration Tucsonans can provide to this food equity request is greatly appreciated. Please bring bags to the Ward 3 office. The office located at 1510 E Grant Rd Tucson, AZ 85719 is open 9 am-1 pm M-F.
City of Tucson Aquatics Survey
Tucson Parks and Recreation seeks pool user input to better serve the public. The department is committed to providing high-quality amenities that meet the needs of the Tucson community. A survey is underway to better understand how residents use the City's pools and splash pads and what they value most about having access to those facilities. Feedback received will help improve services and ensure that City pools remain a valuable resource for everyone. If you use City pools, take the survey linked below. The survey will close Thursday, July 18, at 11:45 p.m.
Equity Priority Survey For The City Of Tucson
Colossal, artistic Cansculptures will rise at Park Place Mall starting this Saturday, June 22nd on Build Day as Canstruction begins to take shape. Four teams will compete in building sculptures of mythical creatures. Stacked cans of food will become a solar dragon, the legendary sea monster Kraken, a Nessie built of 3800 cans of tuna, and a jackelope. The creations will be on display in center court at Park Place through July 10th for the public to enjoy. Build Day begins on the morning of June 22nd and the public is welcome to watch the work and design that goes into the Cansculptures. You can donate to vote for your favorite at www.communityfoodbank.org/canstruction.
The sculpture winning the most votes will receive the People’s Choice Award. Judges will award other prizes including Best Meal, Best Use of Labels, Most Cans, and other categories.
The Office of Equity has identified 12 demographic indicators of vulnerability, which together form the Tucson Equity Priority Index (TEPI). While all these indicators contribute to social vulnerability, they may not do so equally. This survey asks the community to determine which variables most significantly impact vulnerability in Tucson.
Steve Kozachik In Concert
Former Ward 6 City Councilman Steve Kozachik is a talented musician in his own right. You can catch him in concert on the following dates at the corresponding venues in bold.
- July 6th from 6 til 9 at Tohono Chul.
- Sunday, July 14th from 5pm until 8pm
- Sunday, August 4th from 5pm until 8pm
- Sunday, September 8th from 5pm until 8pm
Help The Homing Project By Line Dancing And Eating Some BBQ Sunday July 14 from Noon to 4 PM
The Homing Project is having a fundraiser for the village that’s planned for The Keeling Neighborhood. Come kick up your heels, enjoy BBQ, and line dance to Mama Cole for a good local cause.
Christopher Columbus Park Improvements Meeting Tuesday, July 16, From 5:30-7 p.m. At Ward 3 Council Office, 1510 E Grant Rd.
Vice Mayor and Ward 3 Council Member Kevin Dahl and Tucson Parks and Recreation invite you to a special community meeting at the Ward 3 Council Office. This gathering will serve as a chance for staff to provide an updated concept plan based on initial feedback. Round 1 concept included pickleball courts and a new dog park location that have been removed. The updated concept plan includes a splash pad, destination all-ages playground, ramada, and sidewalk/ADA connections.
This session will be an opportunity for you to share your thoughts and questions regarding this phase of Christopher Columbus Park improvements. Attendees will have the chance to speak and ask questions, ensuring that your voices are heard and considered as we move forward with park improvements.
Please join us on Tuesday, July 16, from 5:30-7 p.m. at Ward 3 Council Office, 1510 E Grant Rd, Tucson, AZ 85719. Your input and participation are invaluable to us as we strive to make Christopher Columbus Park a better place for our community.
Reading Seed is Looking for Volunteers
City of Tucson Housing First - MDOT Care Packet Assembly
 Join us in making a positive impact in our community by assembling care packets for the Housing First initiative.
To register for the upcoming care packet assembly event, please click on the link below:
https://forms.office.com/g/N7Qc8R98Ni
If you have any questions or need further information, reach out to thelma.magallanes@tucsonaz.gov or call at (520) 651-8017.
**Please note that the maximum capacity per event is 20 people, and the session will be closed once this limit is reached.
Pima Association of Governments (PAG) Survey
Pima Association of Governments (PAG), the greater Tucson region's metropolitan planning organization, has launched the “Shape Your Transportation Future” survey, which allows community members to share your transportation priorities and experiences, and where you believe PAG should apply its transportation funding resources for the next 30 years. Results will inform development of the 2055 Regional Mobility and Accessibility Plan, or RMAP. As the federally required metropolitan planning organization, PAG must update this long-range transportation plan every four years to annually secure millions of dollars in federal funding for essential transportation improvements in the region. Your input matters!
You can learn more and take the brief survey at www.PAGregion.com/2055. The survey, which is less than 10 minutes, is available in English and Spanish.
Living Streets Alliance Is Offering A Bike Valet Program And Racks For Special Events
Living Streets Alliance is seeking an Open Streets Manager
 Living Streets Alliance is seeking a passionate, creative, and thoughtful individual to join our team of advocates working to bring Tucson’s streets to life.
If you love connecting with people from all walks of life and building relationships, leading projects and event production, and thrive in a collaborative environment with a small and mighty team of co-creators, you'll love this position!
This position will remain open until filled. We’ll be reviewing applications on a rolling basis and encourage you to apply as soon as possible. All applicants will be contacted regarding next steps. Feel free to contact LSA with any questions.
Big Brothers Big Sisters Is Looking For Volunteers
Community Garden Plots Available
Ready, Set, REC! in July
Go Electric AZ is Looking For Individuals Interested in Electrification of Their Homes and Their Transportation
 Sustainable Tucson's Energy Transformation Working Group (ETWG) provides a volunteer-based service dedicated to helping homeowners transition to electrified and energy-efficient homes. The website is goelectricaz.org. That program has completed its first training for coaches and is accepting clients on a limited basis. If you would like to receive assistance on electrifying your home, sign up at goelectricaz.org/client.
Grocery Sharing at Tucson Food Share - 2500 N. Stone Ave.
 Groceries are shared Mondays 4:30- 6:00 pm,
Thursdays 6:00 - 7:30 pm, and Saturdays from 8am-9:30am.
https://tucsonfoodshare.org/ has more information about volunteering, donating, or requesting delivery.
We welcome your feedback !
Please feel free to email us at Ward3@tucsonaz.gov
To subscribe to this newsletter go to https://www.tucsonaz.gov/ward-3
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